REPORTS of rape in Dorset have increased by more than 170 per cent in five years.

But just four per cent of those reported in 2015 resulted in a charge.

And the number of child rape reports have also increased by 125 per cent in five years, figures reveal.

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) has published its Rape Monitoring Group Report for Dorset Police.

The HMIC report inspects the response to the rape of adults and children, so that work can be implemented to continue to improve such an important area of policing.

This report shows that in 2011/12 there were 118 reports of rape made. In 2015/16, 324 reports were made.

In 2011/12 there were 47 child rape offences reported to Dorset Police; in 2015/16 106 were reported.

The report covers three stages of the criminal justice process for rape: the report of an incident to the police and the subsequent investigation; the referral of the case to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for a charging decision and preparation for prosecution; and the trial and its eventual outcome.

Inspectors note that there has been an increase in reports of rape nationally.

They say this demonstrates the growing public confidence in reporting such sensitive crimes, as well as an increase in reports of non-recent rapes following the publicity of high profile historical abuse cases, such as Jimmy Savile.

It adds: “The numbers, of course, can never tell the full story. For example, rises in the numbers of rapes being recorded may not be due to an increase in prevalence, but the result of improvements in how the police record crimes, or may mean that victims have an increased understanding that a crime has been committed, or feel more confident in being believed when reporting what happened to them. As an example, it may be that in the wake of publicity associated with the late Jimmy Savile and other historical abuse cases, more adult survivors of child sexual abuse, as well as more recent victims, have felt empowered to come forward to tell the police about sexual abuse.

“While these figures can be interpreted as encouraging, and as a reflection of improved recording practices by police forces and increased public confidence in the authorities, more work to improve victim access to specialist support may yet further increase the number of victims who feel able to report to the police.”

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Cooper said: “Dorset Police works closely with our partners and other agencies to encourage reporting through awareness raising campaigns and by speaking directly to survivors of rape and serious sexual offences.

“The Force has invested effort in raising awareness of rape and sexual offences with our staff and officers to ensure a culture where victims are believed and investigations are conducted without fear or favour.”

“In line with increased reporting numbers, another finding of the report is that police referrals of rape cases to the CPS for charging decisions have increased. Conversely, charging has decreased but the report also identifies that rape prosecution and conviction rates in Dorset have increased between 2015 and 2016, demonstrating that those cases which go to court are having more successful outcomes.

ACC Mark Cooper continues: “Supporting victims of rape is not only an outcome focused process and Dorset Police takes a victim centred approach to rape and serious sexual offences. We acknowledge that working with our partners and victims is key in supporting each victim’s long term recovery.

“We work closely with the CPS, who also oversee charging decisions for the Hampshire and Wiltshire areas. We constantly strive to make improvements and have a joint action plan in place, along with combined training of staff and officers for both organisations and regular meetings with the head of the CPS Serious Sexual Offences Unit.”

Mr Cooper said: “Although not all rape cases result in prosecutions, other processes are put into place to mitigate against any future risks and it is important to recognise that many victims don’t necessarily want to go through the CPS process.

“Often victims want to be listened to and believed so they can begin the recovery process. This is particularly prevalent with many reports of non-recent rape where victims just want to make the police aware to ensure it doesn’t happen to anyone else, but they don’t wish to proceed their personal case any further.”

If you have experienced sexual violence, or if you know someone who has, there are many organisations that can help.

Visit www.dorsetforyou.com/dvahelp for details, or call Dorset Rape Crisis Support Centre on 01202 308855 or The Shores (Dorset Sexual Assault Referral Centre) on 01202 552056.